Identification of bacteria in a biodegraded wall painting by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of PCR-amplified gene fragments coding for 16S rRNA

Article Abstract:

Molecular biological techniques involving denatured gradient gel electrophoresis of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA fragments are useful in identifying bacteria from ancient biodegraded wall paintings. Bacteria related to or members of the genera Halomonas, Clostridium and Frankia were found in a thirteenth-century fresco. Identification of the noncultivated bacteria was achieved by extracting DNA from the painting and amplifying 194-bp fragments of the 16S rDNA, as cultivation of most of the bacteria is extremely difficult.

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Genetic diversity and expression of the [NiFe] hydrogenase large-subunit gene of Desulfovibrio spp. in environmental samples

Article Abstract:

A polymerase chain reaction-based system amplifying the nickel-iron hydrogenase large subunit gene was employed in the analysis of the messenger RNA of Desulfovibrio spp. Since the enzyme is an indicator of metabolic activity, the expression of its messenger RNA is a good measure of the metabolic state of the bacteria. An approach that determines active and dormant members in a given population of Desulfovibrio is presented.

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Detection of indigenous Halobacillus populations in damaged ancient wall paintings and building materials: molecular monitoring and cultivation

Article Abstract:

Researchers have identified a previously unknown species of Halobacillus in damaged medieval wall paintings and building material taken from the castle of Herberstein in Styria, Austria. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and fluorescent in situ hybridization show that it is most closely related to Halobacillus litoralis.

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